Winner:

My favourite author

My favourite author is Megan McDonald. She grew up in Pennysylvania, USA. She was the youngest out of five girls in a family who were great storytellers.

She has written so many books for children. Most of her books are illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. Some of her books are Judy Moody gets famous, Judy moody saves the world, Doctor Judy Moody and Ant and Honey Bee: What a pair.

Her books are very unusual and hilarious. They are very enjoyable and exciting. By reading more of her books, I feel that I am getting closer to her!

Minsandi Fernando,
Grade 7C,
Musaeus College,
Colombo 7.

Winner:

The value of friends

We need friends when we win or lose life’s battles. A good friend will stand by you. Friends do not leave us when we have difficulties.

A good friend is not easy to find. Friendship means a strong bond between two people.

One may have many friends, but most of them will be fair weather friends. Real friends will try to make us the future leaders. Among your numerous friends you will find a handful of loyal ones.

K.M.T. Maneli Kulathunga,
Grade 9A,
HolyFamily Balika,
Kurunegala.

Winner:

Water is precious

Water comes from rain and it moves in a never ending cycle. Fresh water is pumped to our homes and schools through large underground pipes. Some people get water from springs and wells.

We use water for drinking, cooking and washing clothes. We can live one or two days without food but we cannot live without water even for a day.

Rain water can be collected and used to water the plants. We can use a barrel for collecting water. Some farmers spray chemicals to their crops to get a better harvest and protect them from insects.

However, poisonous chemicals will pollute the water resources. We have to protect water because it is precious.

D.D.S. Heshan Kulasingha,
Grade 6,
Kalutara Vidyalaya,
Kalutara.

Winner:

Let’s protect nature

Nature is the most precious gift given to us. It is our duty to save and look after it. Unfortunately man is destroying it for his own selfish purposes. Cutting down trees, killing animals and polluting the atmosphere pose a serious threat to nature.

Man is also polluting the air with poisonous gases. We are steadily moving towards the path of destruction. A world without trees and animals will not be a proper place for man to live.

The environmental pollution is going on unabated. As people do not plant trees the world will be a virtual desert.

People who realise the value of nature try to protect it. However, such nature lovers are rare.

K.P. Chamini Shashinika Prasani,
Grade 4,
South Gate College International,
Ambalangoda.

Winner:

A surprising dream

When I was playing in my garden, I saw a large shadow falling on me. It was the shadow of a large and fragrant flower. The petals were shining and it attracted me. I hugged the flower. Suddenly the huge stalk opened wide. Two lovely hands embraced me.

I found myself in a huge and long passage. As I walked along it, I came to a large hall. There were five rooms on one side and on the other side there was only one room. It was in the shape of a pearl.

A cute fair lady was seated on a beautiful chair. She was drawing a beautiful picture. She held my hands and took me to her room. Her hands were so fair that they looked like glass. All the things in her room were pink. She wore pink pair of glass slippers and a frock decorated with white gems. She said that they were for for me. She accompanied me to another room. There was a huge pearl in it.

No sooner I kissed the pearl, it opened itself wide. There was a lovely pink bed with a panda seated on it. I felt very sleepy. I jumped on to the bed hugging the little panda.

Suddenly, I felt like snow drops falling on my face. I also heard someone calling me. As I woke up, I saw my sister sprinkling water and calling me. I was hugging a pillow and sleeping!

Nuska Abbas,
Grade 8 (National),
Ikra International School,
Puttalam.

The seashore

The seashore is a very beautiful place. Every morning fishermen leave the seashore to catch fish. Women and children stand on the seashore watching them sail their boats out to the deep sea.

Many coconut trees and various shrubs can be seen at the seashore. Different types of sea shells can be seen there.

Some children collect the shells. Families come to the seashore to enjoy themselves on Sundays and holidays. Sometimes there are large rocks on the seashore for people to sit.

Children love to make sand castles on the seashore and decorate them. They also like to play on the beach. Fishermen leave their boats on the seashore when they return from fishing.

The seashore looks very beautiful when the sun rises and sets.

A.K.G.Oshadini Piumika,
Grade 8D,
Anula Vidyalaya.

Special meals

We have many types of special meals. For instance, Buddhists make sweetmeats such as kavum and kokis for the New Year celebrations. Milk rice is made with rice and coconut milk or fresh milk. Bananas are a must on the New Year table. People eat milk rice with Katta Sambol or bananas. They make Katta Sambol with onions, chillies and salt. Some like to eat milk rice with treacle or jaggery.

Christians make cakes for Christmas. They also serve chocolates, toffees and ice-cream for visitors. Hindus make Laddu for Deepavali. It is made of jaggery.

Muslims make Watalappan for Ramazan. It is made with coconut milk, eggs, jaggery or honey. Their favourite fruit is dates.

Pamodha Pehesarani,
Grade 5B,
Ke/Balika Maha Vidyalaya,
Hirivadunna.

My favourite musical instrument

My favourite musical instrument is the guitar. It was invented in Spain in the 16th century.

It was developed as a classical guitar in the 19th century. The guitar is the national instrument in Spain.

Even though I prefer the classical guitar, I mostly play the electric guitar. My first guitar was presented to me by my mother.

It is black. I first started playing the guitar when I was in grade 6. Now I can play songs and classical music. I play the guitar for the English day programs, carols and on many other occasions.

Minukshi Ranasinghe,

Grade 8,Ave Maria Convent.

Yellow bird

Tik, tok, tik, tok,
Somebody is at the window,
How dizzy and sleepy I was,
Wondering what it would be,
Nobody in the house,
Feeling scary as a cat,
Slow as a turtle,
Went to the window,
Hands were shivering and cold,
Opened the window slowly,
Ah! it was a yellow bird,
A bird who has migrated.

Najab Wazmi,
“Brilliant Stars” International College,
Nupe, Matara.

My mother

My mother's name is Nimali. She is fair and kind.
My mother is a teacher. She teaches English. She has beautiful sarees.
She likes to eat apples, ice-cream and papaw.
I love my mother.

Sidangana Inimankada,
Grade 3,
Christ Church Girls’ College,
Baddegama.